Section List

Elementary Science Olympiad 2025  

December 3, 2025

• ESU 10 - T&L
• Steinbrink, Dianah

The Elementary Science Olympiad (ESO) is the perfect complement to any 4th-6th grade science program.  ESO events take advantage of the natural curiosity of each child, and allow for in-depth hands-on experiences.

No prep for the events is necessary.  If you attended previously please give new students the opportunity to participate (some events will be repeats).

Each school building can bring up to 6 students (they will work in pairs).  Spaces are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

LETRS Volume 1 (Units1-4) Cohort 1 2025-26 (Day 2 of 4)  

December 11, 2025

• ESU 10 - T&L
• Lewandowski, Dallas

Teachers matter more to student achievement than any other aspect of schooling. Teachers need professional development that provides deeper knowledge, skills, and practice to successfully address reading difficulties.

• Understanding the content and methodology of research-based, explicit, structured literacy instruction

• Deep knowledge of the cognitive and language factors that shape student learning and of pedagogical detail

• Information about how to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all student

Project Approach in Early Childhood Classrooms (Day 1 of 2)  

December 11, 2025

• ESU 10 - ADMIN
• Puncochar, Libbie

Preschoolers have a natural curiosity and love to explore their surroundings! Engaging them in the Project Approach means involving them in investigations of topics that capture their interest and are valuable for their understanding. By incorporating this approach into the curriculum, teachers can foster a genuine enthusiasm for learning among their students.

Over the course of this two-day workshop, participants will: 
    * Delve into project phases, key experiences and roles of educators and students
    * Emphasize the creation of inclusive, high-quality learning environments
    * Examine a variety of real classroom projects that were designed and implemented
    * Actively engage in a guided process for developing a 4-6 week study, including lesson plans to implement the following school year.

Participants will be provided with a Project Approach Guide and materials

LETRS Volume 1 (Units1-4) Cohort 2 2025-26 (Day 2 of 4)  

December 12, 2025

• ESU 10 - T&L
• Lewandowski, Dallas

Teachers matter more to student achievement than any other aspect of schooling. Teachers need professional development that provides deeper knowledge, skills, and practice to successfully address reading difficulties.

• Understanding the content and methodology of research-based, explicit, structured literacy instruction

• Deep knowledge of the cognitive and language factors that shape student learning and of pedagogical detail

• Information about how to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all student

ESU 10 Superintendent Meeting  

January 7, 2026

• ESU 10 - ADMIN
• Wheelock, Melissa

This meeting is held for all school administrators in the ESU 10 region. Lunch is provided.  Registration is required.  Agenda will be sent via list serve.

Targeted Improvement Plan (TIP) Workday 2026  

January 12, 2026 @ 9:00 AM

• ESU 10 - SPED
• Neill, Denise

Join NDE Office of Special Education Part B and ESU 10 Special Education leaders to learn more about the Targeted Improvement Plan and collaborate for the May 2026 submission.

Participants are encouraged to attend as a team that includes:
-CIP team members
-Administrators
-Special education staff

You will need laptops/devices, student data, continuous improvement plan (CIP), and access to the ILCD Collection in the NDE Portal.

Objectives:
    *Review resources from the Office of Special Education at the Nebraska Department of Education to navigate the Targeted Improvement Plan (TIP)
    *Discuss how the TIP connects to continuous school improvement and the MTSS framework. 
    *Review and begin completing the components of the TIP
        *Creating the Profile
        *Setting the Goals
        *Planning to Improve
        *Implementing the Plan

Registration Deadline is January 5, one week prior to workshop unless otherwise noted. Cancellations not received 2 business days in advance and no-shows will be billed.

Early Childhood Teacher Academy 2025-26  

January 16, 2026

• ESU 10 - ADMIN
• Puncochar, Libbie

Building Strong Foundations: Literacy-Rich Preschool Environments and Interactive Read-Alouds and Classroom Quality Tools

This session is ideal for preschool teachers, instructional coaches, and program leaders committed to strengthening early literacy practices through high-quality, engaging instruction.

 A strong foundation in early literacy begins with intentional, engaging, and developmentally appropriate practices in the preschool classroom. This workshop is designed to help early childhood educators create and sustain literacy-rich environments that support young children’s language and literacy development.

Participants will explore how to thoughtfully design classroom spaces and daily routines to promote literacy through meaningful access to books, writing materials, environmental print, and child-adult interactions. A special focus will be placed on planning and facilitating interactive read-alouds that promote vocabulary development, comprehension skills, and rich conversation.

The workshop will also introduce educators to two key tools that support high-quality instruction:
    *The ECERS-3 (Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, 3rd Edition) literacy-related indicators, with a focus on books and book areas, language interactions, and support for early writing.
    *The ELLCO (Early Language and Literacy Classroom Observation) tool, which offers a detailed lens for evaluating and improving classroom language and literacy practices.

Educators will engage in reflection, planning, and collaborative discussions to connect these tools with their daily teaching practice.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
    *Identify key elements of a literacy-rich preschool environment aligned with ECERS-3 indicators
    *Plan and implement engaging interactive read-alouds that support language and literacy growth
    *Use the ELLCO tool to assess and improve classroom literacy practices
    *Reflect on current classroom setups and instruction to make actionable improvements

Principal & Curriculum Director Meeting 1/20/26  

January 20, 2026

• ESU 10 - T&L
• O'Brien, Denise

Key components of this meeting include: informing (regional and state initiatives), learning, collaborating, problem-solving, and networking. Join us for a day devoted to meeting the six tenets of the AQuESTT Accountability Framework and building level leadership.   This meeting is intended for building Principals and Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Directors.

New Teacher Academy 1.22.26  

January 22, 2026

• ESU 10 - T&L
• Essay, Sarah

The New Teacher Academy is designed to help prepare and  support new teachers through their first year in the classroom.  This workshop series is based on the new Nebraska Teacher Performance Standards.

Days 1 and 2 are BOTH required for new teachers to attend. New Teacher Academy is a 4-day series, with Days 1 and 2 back-to-back in July.

Day 1 (July 30) will focus on creating a quality learning environment through set up, relationships and classroom management. Day 1 is only for new teachers.

Day 2 (July 31) will include mentors as well as we look at professionalism, planning, and the stages of the first year of teaching. 

Days 3 (Oct 1) and 4 (Jan 22) will address hot topics for these times of year including classroom management, reflection, engagement and instruction strategies, and professionalism.

Participants in ESU 10’s New Teacher Academy have the potential to receive one session of coaching which includes a pre-observation meeting, an observation, and a debrief session to support teacher growth and goal-setting for their first year.

ESU 10 recommends this series to teachers within their first three years of teaching. This year’s series will focus on classroom management, engagement, and relationships.

CTE Collaboration Day 2026  

January 27, 2026

• ESU 10 - T&L
• Clapp, Kelly

Collaborate with other ESU 9, 10, and 11 Career & Technical Educators!  This 13th Annual Collaboration Day is for all CTE teachers, school counselors, and administrators.  School districts are encouraged to bring a team to this event.  Nebraska Career Education Director, Dr. Katie Graham, Assistant Director, Sydney Kobza, and the Career Field Specialists will be joining us.  There will be a special focus on:  

• Use of Federal Perkins Funds vs. State CTE Funds

• EdRising & Grow Your Own Initiative to Support Educator Recruitment

• Supporting Literacy in the CTE Classroom

• Serving Special Populations

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Enhance Teaching & Learning